Mar 1, 2014

First Day of Therapy

kensummers Uncategorized 2 Comments

 A March 1st snow storm and my first day of therapy during round two at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. Today went good for my first day of structured therapy. I had visits from physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The weekend doctor on call came to my room during the occupational therapist’s visit. We didn’t talk a lot about medical issues but he did fix a foot plate on my wheelchair!

I worked on standing and even walking in the parallel bars which is something that I did not anticipate. Considering the lack of strength I seemed to exhibit at Poudre Valley Hospital this was a surprise to me and a delight for the therapists. This certainly gives hope for a shorter stay at the rehab hospital.

I had an interesting personalized presentation on memory and how the brain stores information from one of the speech therapists. I didn’t realize that this was an area related to speech therapy. I felt like an audience of one listening to an excellent presentation. I will have some follow up sessions to learn more over the next week.

It seems like my fluid retention is beginning to dissipate. It looks like I have a new experience that will help me relate to others who have similar struggles. Also, the feelings of fatigue are something that I am sorting out. I am not sure if it is related to my heart function, medication or my Myasthenia Gravis or a combination of these. I am learning to manage my fatigue and to try to remember the shock my body went through and is still recovering from.

I recently read someone’s comment about hope, specifically hopelessness. He said, “Hopelessness is when you have turned over every stone and found nothing.” When I read that the first thought that came to my mind was, “I’m glad a Christian has no reason to be without hope.” The Bible declares that God is the, “God of all hope…” (Rom. 15:13) We read in the Bible the consistent call to put your hope in the Lord. (e.g. Isa. 40:31; Lam. 3:25) The writer of Hebrews declared that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Heb.13:8)

While setbacks and challenges can be discouraging they are not a reason to lose hope. So during this time I am holding on to Paul’s benediction in Rom. 15:13…

“ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 PLEASE PRAY FOR…

• Energy for therapy
• Muscle strength, especially legs
• Elimination of excess fluid